Indonesian-Australian Partnership through IA-CEPA Supports Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery
JAKARTA – Katalis, the economic cooperation program under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), the Indonesian Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency and the Australian Embassy co-hosted a virtual dialogue that centred on the theme of ‘Supporting Economic Recovery Through Partnership’ on Tuesday, 21 September 2021. In place since 5 July 2020, the IA-CEPA delivers opportunities for the two neighbours to boost trade, investment and skills development, at a critical time.
To optimize the implementation of the IA-CEPA, on 6 July 2021 the governments of Indonesia and Australia launched Katalis, a program that connects businesses and the government from both countries. Katalis also holds an important role in promoting bilateral collaboration including promoting integrated value chains to expand exports to third countries.
“Katalis is expected to bring both countries greater market access, more integrated markets, and enhanced skills particularly in the areas of food manufacturing and the services sector. We strongly encourage all relevant parties including the government, private sector and academia, to take up the opportunities provided by Katalis, to access their trusted advice, networks, market insights and skills to promote trade and investment. Indonesia welcomes this milestone for a promising future of Indonesia-Australia’s deeper economic partnership. It is also an outstanding platform for Indonesia-Australia to pursue reciprocal economic growth and prosperity,” said Indonesian Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas Suharso Monoarfa.
“The program is the first of its kind in a bilateral free trade agreement, and it demonstrates Australia’s commitment to maximising the benefits of our agreement. Katalis will support deeper partnerships to boost our bilateral trade and investment,” said Australian Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan.
Panelists in the dialogue, which featured prominent stakeholders across the government and private sector, agreed that the pandemic has underlined the imperative of close international cooperation, especially between neighbours. Among the panel speakers were Bappenas Deputy for Economic Affairs Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti; Acting Minister Counsellor (Economic, Investment and Infrastructure) of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta Todd Dias; Senior Vice Chancellor of Monash University Professor Andrew MacIntyre; CEO of Indonesia Battery Corporation Toto Nugroho Pranatyasto; Vice President Public Policy, Government Relations and CSR Traveloka Rr. Widyasari Listyowulan; and CEO of Ironbark Citrus Susan Jenkin.
Katalis supports IA-CEPA implementation in agrifood, advanced manufacturing/services and skills. In delivering its activities, the program works closely with the business community in both Indonesia and Australia to catalyse new bilateral commercial partnerships, address trade regulations, and invest in upskilling workforces and companies. “The challenge is to build resilience and facilitate the business-to-business partnerships that will restore and then surpass the promising bilateral trade and investment relationships that existed pre-COVID-19,” said Katalis Director Paul Bartlett.
